Longtime valley resident Erlene “Tia” Mary Medina, 94, passed away on July 11, 2016 at the San Luis Care Center in Alamosa. She was born on March 9, 1922 in Antonito, Colorado to Antonio Gonzales and Belza Todd. She lived in San Luis until she married Jose “Joe” Medina. Following their marriage, they moved to Alamosa. She spent many years cooking for ranch hands in Wyoming. In her later years, she worked as a laundry attendant until she retired. Erlene loved animals, growing flowers and to cook, her family remembers her making the best green chili. She had a giving heart and loved donating to many charities. She above all, loved being with her family and having company. Erlene was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, always showing up early on Sunday to pray the Rosary before Mass. She was an active member and past treasurer of Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos. Erlene did not have children of her own, but she took care of her many nieces and nephews.

Erlene is survived by her sister, Lorraine Lucero and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, special great-nieces, Debbie and Ross Pena and Jeff and Pauline Padilla and special great-great niece Erica Gonzalez.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sisters, Eva, Mary, Helen and Rose and her brother Albert Gonzalez.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday July 14, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alamosa. A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 13, 2016 at the Rogers Family Mortuary. Viewing will take place an hour before the Rosary and the Mass. Interment will follow services in the Alamosa Spanish Cemetery. To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.